US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island; Tehran vows crushing response
US forces struck Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials cited by the Wall Street Journal, marking the latest in a series of secret limited attacks. Iran's military has vowed a "crushing" response. Iranian Revolutionary Guards reported shooting down two US drones over Bandar Khamir and another in the Strait of Hormuz, and said three tankers were hit by naval mines. Tehran's deputy foreign minister stated Iran remains in a state of war and reserves the right to self-defense. The US strikes came ahead of US midterm elections, with President Trump saying Fordow could be targeted. Qatar reports ongoing negotiations, while European Commission President von der Leyen noted the Hormuz closure cost Europe 127 billion euros in fossil fuel imports.